Abstract

Background: The corn stover has been used as ruminants feedstuff in Central Sulawesi. The utility of this feedstuff was limited by the protein content (7-8%). To increasing the value of corn stover, protein-rich supplement such as Leucaena leucocephala leaf or copra meal, must be added.

Methods: The effect of addition of Leucaena leucocephala leaf or copra meal on feed intake, digestion and liveweight gain on local female goat given corn stover were studied in this experiment. This trial was done in experimental farm located in Village of Taipa, sub district of North Palu, district Palu, Central Sulawesi from July to September 2005. A Complete randomized design was employed in this experiment. Eighteen local female goats, with average liveweight 13 ± 2.7 (SE) kg at the age of eight months were used. The goats were then stratified randomized into three dietary treatement groups. Each treatment was replicated six times. The dietary treatments were as follows: P0 = corn stover ad libitum, P1 = P0 + Leucaena leucocephala leaf (equivalent to 3 g protein/kg body weight (BW)/day), P2 = P0 + copra meal (equivalent with 3 g protein/kg BW/day). Data obtained were analysed for analysis of variant using Minitab statistical program. The least significant difference (LSD) was used to test differences between treatment means.

Result : The results showed that the addition of Leucaena leucocephala leaf or copra meal had significant effects (P<0.01) on total dry matter (DM) intake, DM digestibility and daily liveweight gain of local female goats received corn stover. LSD test showed that for all parameters measured, there were significant differences between P0 and P1 or P2. However, there were no significant differences between P1 and P2. It can be concluded that addition of Leucaena leucocephala leaf or copra meal increased total feed intake, feed digestibility and daily liveweight gain of local female goat given corn stover.